Method and apparatus to illuminate the interior of a fashion accessory

ABSTRACT

The present invention describes a method and apparatus for illuminating the interior of a fashion accessory. An illumination device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may include an illumination source, a power source, and a switch electrically coupled to one another. The illumination source may be a tubular illumination mechanism or fiber optic illumination source that may be affixed to the interior of the fashion accessory. The switch may cause the illumination source to illuminate when the fashion accessory is opened and to turn off when the fashion accessory is closed. Various elements of the illumination device may be obscured from view by including the same behind an interior lining of the fashion accessory, and the illumination source may be selected from any suitable color so as to provide illumination of a desired color.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of provisional U.S. application Ser. No. 60/385,683, filed Jun. 4, 2002, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to fashion accessories and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for illuminating the interior of the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Individuals frequently employ any number of portable fashion accessories to transport their personal effects. For example, many women carry a purse or pocketbook, and, modem trends have seen a growth in the number of similar accessories for men beyond the traditional briefcases and attaches. A variety of items may be stored and contained within such-accessories, yet, without proper illumination, locating particular items within these accessories can be both difficult and frustrating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method to illuminate the interior of a fashion accessory. The illumination device of the present invention may be at least partially concealed by an interior lining of the fashion accessory, so as to reduce the visibility of the device, thereby providing an attractive final product. Moreover, the illumination may be provided by an illumination source that is stitched or otherwise affixed to at least a portion of the perimeter of the interior of the fashion accessory. This illumination may be provided in any number of colors, owing to a selection of one of a variety of illumination sources described in alternate embodiments of the present invention.

[0005] Further embodiments of the present invention provide a device to illuminate the interior of a fashion accessory that switches into an “on” position when the accessory is opened and, conversely, switches into an “off” position when the accessory is closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0006]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a fashion accessory including an illumination device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The fashion accessory is shown in an open position.

[0007]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a fashion accessory including an illumination device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein various elements of the illumination device are obscured from view by an interior lining of the fashion accessory. The fashion accessory is shown in an open position.

[0008]FIG. 3 illustrates an illumination device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, prior to installation in a fashion accessory.

[0009]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a fashion accessory including an illumination device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The fashion accessory is shown in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention provide an illumination device for illuminating the interior of a fashion accessory. Such illumination may render it more convenient for one to locate a particular item contained inside that accessory, especially when ambient lighting conditions are such that one would otherwise have difficulty visually discerning among the contents of the accessory. By way of example, embodiments of the illumination device of the present invention may be useful when one is searching for a particular item in a handbag in a dimly lit room, or when trying to find car keys in a similar handbag, when in a parking lot at night.

[0011] The illumination device of the present invention has the additional benefit of imparting a new, fashionable quality to a fashion accessory, since in alternate embodiments the illumination source may be selected from a range of colors. Thus, when illuminated, the interior of the fashion accessory may be illuminated or may glow with the selected color. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the interior of a purse may be illuminated with light of a blue hue, when a corresponding illumination source is selected.

[0012] Moreover, in alternate embodiments of the present invention, at least a portion of the illumination apparatus may be concealed from view within the lining or another similar part of the fashion accessory; thereby minimizing or eliminating an individual's ability to see the mechanism responsible for providing the illumination effect. This may be particularly advantageous insofar as embodiments of the present invention may be included in a fashion accessory, in which one would likely prefer to obfuscate various elements of the illumination device (e.g., wiring, power source) from view to the greatest extent practicable. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the illumination source and switch that controls the illumination source are visible upon opening the fashion accessory, while the remaining elements of the illumination device remain substantially hidden from view.

[0013] Fashion accessories suitable for use in accordance with embodiments of the present invention include, but are in no way limited to, purses, handbags, pocketbooks, wallets, backpacks, briefcases, satchels, luggage, suitcases, cases for sunglasses or makeup, and any other suitable fashion accessory as will be readily recognized by one in the art. In preferred embodiments, the fashion accessory is a purse, handbag, or pocketbook.

[0014] Illumination sources suitable for use in accordance with embodiments of the present invention include, but are in no way limited to, tubular illumination mechanisms such as electric luminescent wire, fiber optic illumination sources, light bulbs, and the like. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the illumination source is electric luminescent wire, available under the tradename LYTEC® from Elam Electroluminescent Industries, Ltd. (Jerusalem, Israel).

[0015] With reference to FIG. 1, in a first embodiment of the present invention, a fashion accessory 100 includes an illumination source 101 that is electrically coupled to a power source 102. Power sources 102 suitable for use in accordance with embodiments of the present invention include, but are in no way limited to, batteries, solar cells, and the like. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power source 102 includes a battery, and, in a most preferred embodiment, the power source 102 includes two AA batteries. It will be readily apparent to one in the art that the power source 102 of the present invention may be selected as appropriate to provide sufficient power, as per the electrical requirements of the illumination source 101.

[0016] The illumination source 101 may be further electrically coupled to a switch 103, that controls the illumination source 101 such that the illumination source is in an “on” position when the fashion accessory 100 is open, and an “off” position when the fashion accessory 100 is closed. The switch 103 of the present invention may be any suitable switch 103 that operates to control the “on” and “off” state of the illumination source 101, but in preferred embodiments the switch 103 is a magnetic reed switch. A magnetic reed switch used in embodiments of the present invention may include two elements, as illustratively depicted in FIG. 1. A first element 111 may be electrically coupled to the power source 102, and a second element 112 may be in magnetic contact with the first element 111. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the first element 111 and the second element 112 are affixed or otherwise attached to the opening 108 of a fashion accessory 100, such that the elements 111, 112 are in magnetic contact with one another when the fashion accessory 100 is closed, and are separated from one another when the fashion accessory 100 is opened. In such embodiments, when the fashion accessory 100 is opened, the two elements 111, 112 preferably separate to a distance far enough away from one another such that the switch 103 functions to operate the illumination source 101.

[0017] The illumination source 101, power source 102, and switch 103 may be electrically coupled by any suitable mechanism such as wires 104, although other mechanisms for providing such electric coupling will be readily apparent to one in the art. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wires 104 include a junction 110 where the wires 104 split to reach the switch 103 at one end of the junction 110 and the illumination source 101 at the other end of the junction 110.

[0018] As further depicted in FIG. 1, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, an inverter 109 may be included between the power source 103 and the illumination source 101. The inverter 109 may adjust the power level so as to provide an appropriate amount of power to the illumination source 101. An inverter 109 is illustratively depicted in FIG. 1 between the power source 103 and the junction 110, although in alternate embodiments of the present invention, an inverter 109 may be included between the junction 110 and the illumination source 101 (not shown).

[0019] As depicted in FIG. 2, the power source 102, inverter 109, and wires 104 may be included inside the fashion accessory 100, but may be further configured between a wall 105 and an interior lining 106 of the fashion accessory 100. This configuration of the power source 102, inverter 109, and wires 104 may obscure these elements from view when the fashion accessory 100 is open. Moreover, the illumination source 101 may be stitched or otherwise affixed to the fashion accessory 100. In one embodiment of the present invention (i.e., the fashion accessory 100 being a purse), the illumination source 101 may be stitched or otherwise affixed to the fashion accessory 100 around the perimeter of the interior lining 106; preferably at or near the border between the interior lining 106 and the wall 105. Stitching 107 may be included to secure the illumination source 101 to the fashion accessory 100 in this manner.

[0020] The switch 103 of the present invention may be included at or near an opening 108 of the fashion accessory 100. As illustratively depicted in FIG. 1, the switch 103 is included at the opening 108 of a fashion accessory 100. When the fashion accessory 100 is open, the switch 103 causes the illumination source 101 to illuminate, and when the fashion accessory 100 is closed, the switch 103 causes the illumination source 101 to turn off. Depending on the overall configuration of the fashion accessory 100 and the remaining elements of the embodiment of the present invention that is included therewith, the switch 103 may be substantially obscured from view. However, in the embodiment illustratively depicted in FIG. 4, an individual may observe the switch 103. Therefore, in certain embodiments of the present invention, and particularly those embodiments wherein the switch 103 is configured to be visible when the fashion accessory 100 is in the open position, it may be desirable to select a relatively small switch 103.

[0021] While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

We claim:
 1. An illumination apparatus to illuminate the interior of a fashion accessory, comprising: an illumination source; a power source electrically coupled to the illumination source; and a switch electrically coupled to the illumination source, wherein the illumination apparatus is configured inside the interior of the fashion accessory.
 2. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the illumination source is a tubular illumination mechanism.
 3. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the illumination source is electric luminescent wire.
 4. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the illumination source is activated when the switch is in an “on” position and the illumination source is deactivated when the switch is in an “off” position.
 5. The illumination apparatus of claim 4, wherein when the illumination source is activated, it glows with a color.
 6. The illumination apparatus of claim 4, wherein the switch is in the “on” position when the fashion accessory is open, and the switch is in the “off” position when the fashion accessory is closed.
 7. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch is a magnetic reed switch.
 8. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, further including an inverter configured between the power source and the illumination source, and electrically coupled thereto.
 9. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the illumination apparatus is concealed from view by a portion of the fashion accessory.
 10. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fashion accessory is selected from the group consisting of a purse, a handbag, a pocketbook, a wallet, a backpack, a briefcase, a satchel, an article of luggage, a suitcase, a case for sunglasses, and a case for makeup.
 11. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source is selected from the group consisting of a battery, multiple batteries, a solar cell, and a set of solar cells.
 12. A fashion accessory with an illumination apparatus to illuminate the interior of the fashion accessory, comprising: a fashion accessory; an illumination source included inside the fashion accessory; a power source electrically coupled to the illumination source; and a switch electrically coupled to the illumination source.
 13. The fashion accessory of claim 12, wherein the illumination source is a tubular illumination mechanism.
 14. The fashion accessory of claim 12, wherein the illumination source is electric luminescent wire.
 15. The fashion accessory of claim 12, wherein the illumination source is activated when the switch is in an “on” position and the illumination source is deactivated when the switch is in an “off” position.
 16. The fashion accessory of claim 15, wherein when the illumination source is activated, it glows with a color.
 17. The fashion accessory of claim 15, wherein the switch is in the “on” position when the fashion accessory is open, and the switch is in the “off” position when the fashion accessory is closed.
 18. The fashion accessory of claim 12, wherein the switch is a magnetic reed switch.
 19. The fashion accessory of claim 12, further including an inverter configured between the power source and the illumination source, and electrically coupled thereto.
 20. The fashion accessory of claim 12, wherein the illumination apparatus is concealed from view by a portion of the fashion accessory.
 21. The fashion accessory of claim 12, wherein the fashion accessory is selected from the group consisting of a purse, a handbag, a pocketbook, a wallet, a backpack, a briefcase, a satchel, an article of luggage, a suitcase, a case for sunglasses, and a case for makeup.
 22. The fashion accessory of claim 12, wherein the power source is selected from the group consisting of a battery, multiple batteries, a solar cell, and a set of solar cells.
 23. A method for illuminating the interior of a fashion accessory, comprising: opening a fashion accessory that includes an illumination source electrically coupled to a switch, wherein opening the fashion accessory causes the switch to effect an illumination of the illumination source. 